Feliz Cumpleanos Joe!

Happy Birthday Joe!

What better place to celebrate a January birthday than the sunny beaches of Cancun, Mexico?  Thanks to a holiday (Martin Luther King Day), a teacher work day, and inauguration day, it was a perfect week to head south of the border to soak up some sun and warm weather.  This trip was postponed from last year, so making it to Mexico was extra special.

We have done trips to Mexico before, but this trip was very different in a good way thanks to the Kid's Club.  As luck would have it, we decided to shoot some hoops at the basketball court on the first day after breakfast.  There was a group at the nearby archery range, so Anna went over to check it out.  As it turns out, there was a group of kids from the Kid's Club, including another 10 year old girl from New Jersey named Lisa.  Anna and Lisa hit it off, resulting in Anna asking to join the group.  The group leader agreed, and off Anna went for the rest of the day.  When we picked her up at 4:30, she informed us that she needed to be back at the main stage by 7:45 for the fashion show she was in.  This was after a day at the waterpark, the wave pool, rehearsal for the show, and assorted other activities.  Needless to say, she had a great day and was ready to return the next day.

Anna, Lisa & Lola from Argentina in their Frozen costumes

The kids club really mixed up the parental routine as well.  What about building sand animals on the beach?  What about jumping the waves?  What about sitting quietly and reading a book......or a long walk on the beach..........never mind.  Joe and Theresa were able to adjust.  In short, everyone got to do what they wanted to do.  Now that is a win-win.

There was one potential problem - the magical kids club....the one that was enabling everyone to do what they wanted to do....was actually part of the adjoining resort.  There are four levels of the resort and the kids club was the next level up.  We were not staying there.  Anna was determined to go back.  Fortunately Joe  prepared for the Mexican cash economy, which ensured that Anna was able to stay at the kids club.  She had a blast the entire week with her friend Lisa.  She appeared in three shows (a fashion show, a pink lady in Grease, and Anna in Frozen).  She also went to the disco three nights after the show with her kids group (the disco was open to kids until 9:30 PM) for some dancing.  She made it back in time each night to watch the main show each night, which included a magic show one night and an acrobatic circus another night.  In between, she enjoyed lots of good food and kid drinks from the bar (her favorite seems to be a Miami Vice - ask her what is in it).  Anna definitely needed to rest after this vacation!

Chillin on the beach

The last night in Mexico was also Joe's birthday.  He celebrated with a day at the beach, wave jumping with Anna AFTER kids club, and dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse.  The weather was sunny and 84 degrees....perfect for a January birthday!

The week went by too quickly.  Alas it was time to return home.....just in time for the inauguration.  Upon returning to the U.S. and entering Customs, we found a series of automated kiosks to scan your passports.  This was new from the last time we traveled outside of the country, so it took a minute to figure them out.  Part of the kiosk was taking your picture after the passport was scanned.  Joe decided to treat the camera as an old school photo booth and began making funny faces, only to have the camera capture his surprised look.  Let's just say his photo made the customs official's evening.  "Nice photo."  Anna and Theresa were laughing so hard they could hardly speak.  Note for future trips:  the Customs photos are serious.

Mexico provided a much needed respite.  Hopefully we will be able to get across the wall to go back again.